What Is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a powerful, versatile programming language that is popular for web development. It makes websites more dynamic and interactive, helping to improve user experience. You can use this language to create responsive content, add interactive features to your page, and even control multimedia.

While this type of software is complex, it is also one of the most useful. Many social media sites and online communities use JavaScript to power their interface. This includes Facebook and React Native. In addition, it is used to build cross-platform mobile applications like those found in apps for Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. Other companies use JavaScript to power their websites, including PayPal and Uber.

The language is an extension of HTML, allowing developers to add functionality to their pages without writing extra code. Some of the most common uses for JavaScript include data validation, form validation, and dynamically updating the user interface. These functions make it easy for users to access information without having to reload the page.

Before the introduction of JavaScript, most websites were just plain text. They would contain hyperlinks to other pages. But the internet was not widely accessible until early Web developers opted for a browser family that supported JavaScript. And it wasn’t until Microsoft Internet Explorer started supporting the language that the full potential of JavaScript became available.

Because of the scalability and ease of use of JavaScript, it has become a highly sought-after skill in the development industry. Aside from its use in web development, it has been used to create powerful video games, too.

When a user submits a form to a website, the website can use JavaScript to validate that the user is of the correct age. If the user is under 18, the site will ask the user to enter their date of birth. Using JavaScript, the site will check the user’s age against the date of birth stored in its database. Once the user enters the correct date of birth, the website will display the appropriate information on the page.

Another feature of JavaScript is its ability to detect when the user has navigated to a new section of the page. For instance, if the user selects a menu button on the top of the page, the web application will display a menu on the right. That way, the user doesn’t have to reload the page to view the new menu.

Although JavaScript can be used in conjunction with other languages, it’s mostly used to develop web applications. By combining the advantages of a compiled language and an interpreted language, it speeds up and simplifies the development process. Plus, it doesn’t require a web server to run, saving space on servers.

Since it was first released, the programming language has undergone several revisions. The European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) has updated the standard to reflect improvements in Internet bandwidth and processing power. Despite the changes, ECMAScript remains the name of the official version of the standard.